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AHRC New York City

Advocating for people with intellectual, developmental, and other disabilities to lead full and equitable lives.

Direct Support Professional Training and GED Preparation for New York City Youth

Apply for AHRC New York City’s Advance and Earn program!
Call 718-830-5025 or email advance@ahrcnyc.org.

Advance & Earn Eligibility Requirements:
Advance & Earn is available to residents of any of the five boroughs of New York City, ages 17-24. To qualify you must not be currently enrolled in school or an employment program, (working less than 25 hours per week), and legally authorized to work in the United States.

Who We Are

AHRC NYC Advance & Earn is a free program that pays you to start your career. Offered through Staten Island Workforce Development Center, Advance & Earn helps jumpstart the careers of New York residents through comprehensive High School Equivalency test preparation, (GED), employer-recognized training, credentials and certifications, and paid internships.

Who You Are

Advance & Earn is specifically designed for the youth of New York City to support their career aspirations, build a path to success and to go out into the workforce and THRIVE!

From the very beginning of the program, our utmost priority is your success. When you step into our doors, we have a dedicated group of people ensuring your success and taking a holistic approach to how we can make that happen.

Tanika Marshall, Advance & Earn Program Director

About the Program

Advance & Earn is 20 weeks long and offered in-person.

Track 1: Direct Support Professional Certification

This opportunity is available in Manhattan and Staten Island.

Participants who have their high school diploma or HSE and are over 18 years old can apply for our Direct-Support Professional Certification Program.  This track prepares you for a demanding but rewarding career in the human services field, including the nonprofit industry supporting people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

Are you?

  • Passionate about helping people and want to live your passion every day.
  • Want the freedom to share your talents and hobbies with others?
  • Want to learn more about the field of disability services and explore a Career Path in the Field of Human Service?
  • Want to build experience and GET a rewarding job NOW?
  • Want to get a unique opportunity to learn with and join the AHRC NYC family or another non-profit organization making a difference in the lives of New Yorkers with Disabilities?
  • Want to become the KEY to SUCCESS for a non-profit organization and join a social justice movement?

Participants will receive the following training and certifications:

  • NADSP (National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals) DSP Certified Level 1 and 2
  • Introduction to Developmental Disabilities and the history of the field of service
  • Instruction in the Core Competencies and Code of Ethics of a Direct Support Professional
  • Supporting people with disabilities in Residential, Day Habilitation, Community and Employment areas.
  • American Heart Association CPR and First Aid Certification
  • Paid Internship ($18/hour for up to 250 hours) in one of the leading Non-Profit agencies in the field with Job Placement.

Track 2: Pre-HSE Instruction / GED Preparation

This opportunity is available in Staten Island.

Participants without a high school diploma will take part in either the Pre-HSE instruction or HSE Preparation programs and receive:

  • Academic instruction to prepare for the GED exam
  • Work readiness training
  • Job placement assistance
  • Industry credential attainment (Food Handler, Retail Specialist, MOS)
  • College and career prep, counseling, and support
  • $240 weekly stipend or paid internship ($18/hour for up to 250 hours)
  • Daily lunch, metro card, and laptop or tablet if needed

TO QUALIFY, YOU MUST BE: 

  • 17-24 years old
  • a resident of any of the five boroughs of New York City
  • out of school and have no post-secondary degree
  • unemployed, or working less than 25 hours per week
  • legally authorized to work in the United States

Advance & Earn Program Locations


Contact Us

Call Today 718-830-5025 and ask about Advance & Earn
TTY#: 1-800-662-1220


DYCD logo with AHRC NYC logo, Chapter of The Arc NY

Advance and Earn Cohort Celebrates Achievements with Assist from AT&T

Advance & Earn Cohort Celebrates Achievements with Assist from AT&T

AT&T donates laptops to Advance & Earn cohort to support academic and professional improvement.

Attendees watch a video of AHRC NYC staff members describing their experiences in the NADSP pilot program

NADSP E-Badge Academy Strengthens DSP Confidence & Professional Skills

Celebrate the achievements of 44 people earning their successes through the E-Badge Academy courses.

Fatimah Howard, DSP

DSP Recognition Week: Fatimah Howard of EBS-Brooklyn

Beginning her journey through AHRC NYC’s Advance & Earn, Fatimah Howard’s career as a Direct Support Professional

Advance & Earn and NADSP Celebrate Future DSPs

The Great Cohort 8: Advance & Earn and NADSP Celebrate Future DSPs

Advance & Earn DSP Track Cohort celebrated for accomplishments as they prepare for DSP careers.

Advance & Earn Community Partner Comes Through

Advance & Earn Community Partner Comes Through During Program’s Time of Need

The Village – A Chance In Life offered AHRC NYC’s Advance & Earn program a space to continue operations.

Steven Natal spoke of how proud he was to undertake the Advance & Earn program.

Steven Natal Finds a Passion for Direct Support Via Advance & Earn Program

Finding a new path through the Advance & Earn program, with support from AHRC NYC professionals.

Annalisa with her animals

AHRC New York City Camp Anne Counselor Instills Love of Nature with Campers

Campers at AHRC NYC’s Camp Anne have enjoyed bonding with Analissa’s pets for the last two summers.

Latroya Williams learned specialized employment skills as a part of AHRC NYC's DYCD Programs

Recognizing 2022 Advance & Earn and Train & Earn Participants

Celebrating accomplishments of young people in AHRC NYC’s Train & Earn and Advance & Earn programs

AHRC NYC's Advance & Earn Program Fosters Partnerships on Staten Island

Advance & Earn Program Fosters Partnerships on Staten Island

Our Advance & Earn Program makes connections on Staten Island to better serve people aged 18-24 looking for work and education.

AM NY logo

amNY: Get your GED while earning money with NYSARC Advance and Earn

amNY spotlights AHRC NYC’s Advance & Earn program.

AM NY logo

amNY: Start a career in human services field from paid intern to long-term employee

Schneps Media hosted a webinar to help others learn about AHRC NYC Advance and Earn program

Autism Spectrum News logo

Hiring People with Disabilities as Direct Support Staff – Advance & Earn Provides Training and Support

Advance & Earn graduate shares experiences with people attending AHRC NYC’s Day Habilitation program in Staten Island.

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